The importance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims is difficult to overestimate. It is considered the third shrine of the Islamic world.
Al-Aqsa Mosque
Where it is located, every follower of the Muslim faith knows. This is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Here are many amazing examples of Islamic architecture.
But most of all, the Temple Mount is famous for the fact that there is one of the most significant structures for the entire Muslim world - the Al-Aqsa Mosque (Jerusalem). It is built on the place where the prophet Muhammad was miraculously transferred from Mecca. Then, here, on an elevation on the Temple Mount, prophets appeared before Muhammad, who prayed with him, after which he could ascend. For a long time, the status of al-Aqsa mosque was qibla - a landmark in which direction Muslims turned their faces during prayer.
general information
All events that occurred with the Messenger of Allah are described only in the Qur'an. It is reliably known that during the Ascension (Miraj) of Muhammad, the Al-Aqsa Mosque did not yet exist. It was built much later, in six hundred and thirty-sixth year, by the caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab. It was a modest house for prayers. After several decades, the then construction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque was rebuilt and expanded. Like many buildings located on the heights of the Temple Mount, it was also repeatedly destroyed. But, unlike the Jewish shrines, the cause of the destruction of the Al-Aqsa mosque is not the human factor, but the forces of nature. Twice the strongest earthquakes wiped it off the face of the earth. And each time it was restored, making it even more beautiful than before. In its present form, this famous temple has been standing since 1035, although reconstruction and repair work in it was carried out more than once.
History of Al-Aqsa Mosque
It did not always belong to the Muslim community. When the crusaders captured Jerusalem in the eleventh century, the beautiful building of the Al-Aqsa mosque was not destroyed. The Templars began to use one part of it as a church, in which they also lived. In the basements of the minaret, they kept horses. Apparently, therefore, from then on they are called the Solomon stables. Once again, prayers in the walls of the Al-Aqsa mosque began to be sounded only after the transition of Jerusalem to the possession of the Sultan of Ad-Din, and traces reminiscent of the presence of Christians were destroyed.
Description
The construction makes an impressive impression. It is a two-story rectangular building with dimensions of 60x85 m, oriented to the north and south. In the list of mosques in the world, it is in its twentieth place in terms of size. The building itself, as well as the site around it, is made of yellowish-white sandstone - the traditional building material for Israel. The temple consists of seven fairly spacious galleries, one of which is central. Three more are adjacent to it from the west and east. The structure is crowned by only one dome. The walls of al-Aqsa Mosque are decorated with carvings, although they look quite modest. A dome with a lead coating and the same floor panels on the outside give the impression of neglect. But this is temporary. After reconstruction, the sphere will receive, as expected, a golden outfit of copper coated with gold leaf.
Interior decoration
It cannot be said that the premises of the Al-Aqsa mosque are distinguished by a special luxury of decoration. Inside, there is the same unprocessed sandstone, on which time and people left cracks and potholes, very mean fragments of a panel on which a floral pattern is applied. Traditionally, the floor is completely carpeted. The ceilings in the mosque are made arched. They, like the ceiling in the central gallery, are decorated with beautiful mosaics. A large number of rich chandeliers illuminate the room.
The interior is decorated with many columns of marble and stone, connected by arches. Seven gates lead to the mosque from the north side. Each gallery opens with one door and aisle. The walls of the building in the lower part are covered with white marble, in the upper - beautiful mosaics. Temple utensils are mainly made of gold.
In general, the beauty of the interior decoration of the Al-Aqsa mosque is concentrated on the ceiling surface, which is a little strange from the point of view of architectural design. After all, Muslims pray on their knees and face to the floor. Experts wonder who exactly was intended all the charm of such a finish? There is a version that in this lies a certain sacred meaning, which is hidden from the understanding of the "infidels."
“Mosque of the Exclusion”
One thing is clear: in the interior there is a lot of light and air. Around the columns there are a large number of whatnots and shelves on which religious literature is placed. Many people come here not for prayer, but just like that, for the soul. During major Islamic holidays, up to five thousand people can “talk with God” at the same time in a mosque. On certain days and hours, tourists are allowed to enter this prayer house. And since the entire territory of the Temple Mount is very strictly guarded, you can climb the hill only through the Maghrib Gate. At the same time, personal items must be presented for inspection, and outer clothing should be non-invasive, modest and cover legs and shoulders.
